Turnbuckle



Feb. 22, 1949. P, G. GLEASON V 2,462,382

TURNBUCKLE Filed Dec. 7, 1945 r11/lill!!! /4 MMMMMMMMlmmmwww llllll// will PA UL G. @LEAs 0N,

I N VEN TOR.

Patented Feb. 22, 1949 UNIT ED STAT ES PATENT G'FFIC'E TURNBUCKLE Paul G. Gleason, Van. Nuys, Calif. ApplicationDecember 7, 1845,. SerialNo. .633.338

-Claims. l This invention relates to a turnbuckle. More specifically speaking the invention pertains to a type of` turnbuckle particularly well adapted'for use in. the control systems or'rigging of aircraft. steamships and sail-boats, as well `as in other structures requiring tension and compression regulation and wherein itv is necessary that the'system be frequently assembled and disassembled in connection with inspection and transportation requirements.

Tension and compression adjusting members of the turnbuckle type, as rare now in common use, generally consist of; a clevis or eyeboit threaded left handinto a central member and a clevis or eyebolt threaded right hand into the same central member. Therefore, if a tension or compression force is applied to each of the eyebolts or clevises and the central member is rotated,

vthe tension or compression may be increased or decreased' depending upon. the direction and amount ofV rotation of the central member.

With thisprevious type of turnbuckle it is impossible to release the tension or compression in the structure of which the turnbuckle forms a part', Without disturbing the adjustment of the turnbuckle or Velse disconnecting the compression producing or tension producing members between which the turnbuckle is located.

With ak View to overcoming the defects and disadvantages in the prior art, above pointed out, it is an object of this invention to provide means whereby the tension or compression loads to whichthe deviceis subjected during use may be readily relieved or applied without disturbing the initial tension or compression to which the turnbuckle has beenl set.

Another object is to provide means whereby the tension or compression producing members may be entirely disconnected from the device, or .may through its use be attached to each other, without disturbing the initial setting of the rotatablepart of the turnbuckle.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention will hereinafter appear.

Referring, to the accompanying drawing, which illustratespresent preferred embodiments of the invention,

Fig. lis an assembly of my invention partially 'c ut away and shown in the closed position preparatory to, resisting tension.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal midsection showing my invention inthe extended or relieved position, the barrelof' the interengaging link being in section;

`Fig53 is a fragmentalsection taken on irregular 55.

kI5 which `are nearly Vwhich disconnectably Athe shank ofthe eyebolt I'I has a left hand thread. It is to be understood that these eyebolts are to, be considered Vas. representative of'whatever'clevises, hooks, rods or other connectionsit `may be'found desirable to'substitute for them.'

The `turnbuckle f comprises theitwo 'main 4interlockable cooperating.members IZand I3, having respectively the outwardly 'directed Shanks lltand `twins except vfor the reverse manner (in regardto right and" left) invwhich the threads of their bores Iijare formed. The screwthreading of the two shank bores is similar in one respect, namelyin that aboutv the inner 'half ofeach bore is threadedin one direction and the outer half thereof is threaded in the reverse.A direction.

Each ofthe aforementioned turnbucklebodies i2 and I3 has an inner (in relation to the whole turnbuokle structure) end'arm ITI/whichparallels its axis but is laterally offset therefrom; :these arms being reversely offset in. relationtothe'axis vof the whole, structure in order that they may overlap and at times intert in the manner. shown in Fig. 1.

At itsextremity-each saidarrn I'IL carries an inwardly offset bfurcated lug I8 between the two sides of whichare received with a working. fit

one or the other end portions of theintercon necting linkV 2B, said link beingatone `end permanently connected toand between one of said bifurcations. by a, pivot. pin 2l. whereas'theoppositerend ofthe link is provided with a hook y22 engages a pin, 2,35 that bridges-y the spacebetween the otherfoffthe; bifurcations-A I8.

The interengaging link (providedzwiththe-k general designation 20) consists of au barrel'24: the

end portions of whichform trunnion-like-projections, saidbarrelhaving through ita polygonal hole 25 to receive a suitable tool for the-'purpose of forcibly turningV the link from theposition shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. lgand vic-e versa. From diametrically opposite'sidesjof the centraliportionof said barrelprojectthe arm 26 and the hooked' arm 22; each of these parts occupying only about one-third the length of said barrel.

The aforesaid bifurcated lugs I1 are of a broad character and their breadth is shown as being slightly less than the length of the links barrel and equal the breadth of the thickest portions of said Ybodies I2 and I3, the midlength portion of the structure being of a circular character when the turnbuckle is in the retracted condition shown in Fig. Yl. Around this circular structure is ttable a sleeve 21, preferably provided with the knurled surface shown to facilitate its manual adjustment.

The body I2 is provided with a short angular groove 28 of the bayonet slot type and the sleeve 21 has an inward projection 29 positioned to feed into said groove when the sleeve is applied, to hold the latter in place. shown provided wtih diametrically opposite circular openings 3D Vwhich aline with the hole through the barrel of the link when the sleeve .is ink place, so that a locking wire or pin may be passedthrough the hole through the barrel and alined openings 30 to insure that the sleeve 21 does not become displaced. One end of the sleeve n 21 is shown having a peripheral, inwardly directed flange 21a which is so inclined as to fit closely around the enclosed, steeply tapered part of the memberV I3, the sleeve being moved to the right from the applied position shown in Fig. 3 when it is desired to uncover the link 20.

`The modification shown in Fig. differs from the embodiment already described in that the turnbuckle member I3a has the face of its shoulder |33: extending at a slightly acute angle in relation to the adjacent side of thearm Ila, and the shoulder |21' bears a like angular relation to the arm |1a adjacent to it; and also the outer 4end portion of each arm I1a is not rounded but is furnished with a shoulder face Ily so contoured and inclined (a little obtusely) as to abut in an interlocked manner Vwith the adjacent face |29: or |33: when the turnbuckle is subjected to comf pression.

In Fig. 5 the Shanks I5a and Ma are made more sturdy for compression resistance and heavier rods Illa and IIa are substituted for the corresponding parts shown in Fig. 1. If occasion require, the structure shown in Fig. 5, though particularly intended to resist compression, may be used to resist tension.

In the operation of the device shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, tension loads are xed to the eyebolts I0 and I I, the parts being in the assembled retracted condition shown in Fig. 1, and the sleeve 21` being in place. By manually grasping said sleeve and thus turning the assembly therewithin clockwise or counter-clockwise as desired, the ten- .sion between the load and its reaction can be adjusted. To release the adjusted tension, as for example, to release a guy wire, the sleeve is released frorn the bayonet slot 28 and is then moved to the right far enough to clear the body I 2. Then a hexagonal bar or wrench is inserted into the socket aiorded by the hole through the links barrel 24. By turning the wrench counter-clockwise the link 20 swings about pin 2l until it assumes the position shown in Fig. 2 wherein the toggle bodies I2 and I3 are separated and the guy wire tension is relieved. Should it now be desired to disconnect the guy wire from its anchorage the hook portion 22 of the link can be disengaged from the pin 23. To re-tension the guy wire the link is again hooked onto the pin 23 whereupon the wrench is inserted into the link The sleeve V21 is passage 25 and is rotated clockwise until the turnbuckle parts assume the contracted position shown in Fig. 1. In this contracted position of the structure pin 2I is located slightly above the center line of the tractive force (also of compressive force if that is used) whereas the other pin 23 is slightly below said center line, thus providing for a past dead center locking effect.

It will be seen that when the turnbuckle assembly, in the position shown in Fig. 1, is subjected to traction tending to draw the eyebolts farther apart, such traction will be withstood at the points marked these points being the contacts of the lugs I8 and the barrel 24, and hence the pins 2| and 23 will bear only a portion of the load caused by the traction. Therefore the stress is relieved from the small pins 2| and 23 and Atransferred to more sturdy parts. This is true of the retracted Vpositionof the device, whereas in the extended position said pins 2I and 23 assume the weaker load then placed upon the turnbuckle eyebolts owing to the tractive force having been lessened as` a result of the extension of the device to the position shown in Fig. 2.

After the device has been adjusted in the manner desired the protective sleeve 21 (which meantime will have occupied a position to the right of that shown in Fig. 1) will be brought back to the position shown in Fig. 1.

The operation of the modification shown in Fig. 5, constructed to resist compression, will be readily understood from the foregoing description, but the arrangement thereof to relieve stress upon the pins 2Ia and 23a is to be noted. This stress relief results from the fact that when the arms |1a are in the parallel, overlapped relation one arm shoulder Hy abuts against the body shoulder 12m and the other arm shoulder Hy abuts against the body shoulder I3m. Also at such time there are two pressure contacts I 9x between the inner side of the bifurcated lug I 9 and the end portions of the link barrel 24, and the two contacts |811: between the opposite side of the end portions of said barrel and inner side portion of the bifurcated lug I8. These four pressure contacts combine to reduce considerably the shearing strain upon the pivots 2 Ia and 23a of the link 20.

I claim:

1. In a turnbuckle structure, a pair of body members each having an outer end portion attachable to a tension or compression means and each having a laterally offset arm projecting inwardly from its opposite end, each of the arms thus provided terminating in a bifurcated lug which projects from the inner side of the arm which carries it, a pivot pin carried by each of A link swingably connected to therbase of its said lugs and bridging the space between its bifurcations, the two pivot pins thus provided lying 'in substantially the long axis of the turnbuckle structure when the latter is in its operative position under either compression or tension, and a at one end with one of said pivots and at its opposite end with the other `of said pivots, the aforesaid turnbuckle body members having two operative positions, one for resisting compression and tension, wherein said arms overlap and the link is nested between them, and the other for resisting tension wherein said body members are spaced longitudinally apart fronreach other with said link connecting. the pivots carried by said lugs.

2. The subject matter of claim 1and each of said turnbuckle body members having adjacent lug-carrying arm a shoulder positioned at the same side ofthe arm as the lug,

the lug carried by the arm of each of the body members abutting against the shoulder of the other body member when the turnbuckle is in its retracted condition.

3. A turnbuckle structure comprising two similar bodies, each of said bodies carrying an arm having an end portion which is oiset laterally opposite to the arm of the other, and a connecting link one end of which is pivotally related to the oset end portion of one of said arms in a permanent manner, the opposite end of said link carrying a hook for detachable pivotal connection with the offset end portion of the other of said arms wherein the two similar bodies are rendered completely separable from each other.

4. A turnbuckle structure comprising two similar bodies, each of said bodies carrying an arm having an end portion which is offset laterally opposite to the arm of the other, and a connecting link one end of which is pivotally related to the offset end portion of one of said arms in a permanent manner, the opposite end of said link carrying a hook for detachable pivotal connection with the offset end portion of the other of said arms, said link having a trunnion-like projection at each side of its midlength portion and a tool-engageable portion usable to forcibly swing it to bring said arms into an overlapped contacting relation to each other wherein the offset portion of one of said arms is pressure-engageable with said trunnion-like projections to relieve the strain upon said pivotal connections of the link when the device is subjected to compression.

5. The subject matter of claim 4, and said trunnion-like projections at such time engaging the offset portion of the other arm further to relieve the strain upon the pivotal connections of said link.

6. In a turnbuckle structure, a pair of body members each having an outer end portion attachable to a traction or compression means and each having a laterally offset arm projecting inwardly from its opposite end, each of the arms thus provided terminating in a lug which projects from the inner side of the arm which carries it, a link swingably connected at one end with one of said lugs and at its opposite end with the other of said lugs, the aforesaid turnbuckle body members having two operative positions, one for resisting compression and tension, wherein said arms overlap and the link is nested between them, and the other for resisting tension wherein said body members are spaced longitudinally apart from each other with said link connecting the pivots carried by said lugs.

7. The subject matter of claim 6 and, each oi said turnbuckle body members having adjacent to the base of its lug-carrying arm a shoulder positioned at the same side of the arm as the lug. the lug carried by the arm of each of the body members abutting against the shoulder of the other body member when the turnbuckle is in its retracted condition.

8. The subject matter of claim 6, and each of said turnbuckle body members having adjacent to the base of its lug-carrying arm a shoulder positioned at the same side of the arm as its lug, said shoulder having a surface which extends at slightly less than a right angle to the adjacent side of the arm, the lug carried by the arm of each of the body members having an outer shoulder positioned to at times abut in an intertting manner against the shoulder with which it cooperates.

A turnbuckle structure comprising two bodies, each of said bodies having arms xed to them, the turnbuckle being adjustable to and from a retracted position in which said arms overlap, a link connecting the outer end portions of said arms, and a sleeve movable in an endwise manner to and from an enclosing relation to the retracted structure, there being a bayonet slot type of latching means between said sleeve and structure.

10. The subject matter of claim 9, and said turnbuckle structure having a hole through it when in the retracted condition, and said sleeve having diametrically opposite openings registrable with said hole to receive a fastener extending through the turnbuckle to prevent the sleeve from moving in such a manner as to unlatch it from the aforesaid bayonet slot connection.

11. In a turnbuckle structure, a link having a barrel portion which produces trunnion-like projections at each side of the link, there being an axial tool-receiving aperture in said barrel, a pair of body members each carrying an arm which projects toward the other body member, said body members being movable to bring their arms to and from an overlapping relation to each other, each of said arms having an end portion offset toward the other overlapped arm, a pivot connecting one end of said link to one offset end portion of one of said arms, and a second pivot connecting the opposite end of said link to the offset end portion of the other of said arms, there being a pressure contact between each end of said barrel and the offset end portion of the adjacent arm when said arms are in the aforesaid overlapping relation, thereby relieving stress on the pivotal connections between said arms and link.

l2. The subject matter of claim 11 and, one of the end portions of said interconnecting link being in a hooked-on relation to the arm with which it is connected.

13. A turnbuckle structure comprising two main body members having overlappable extensions, a link having trunnion-like extensions and provided with a central tool-receiving aperture, a pivot connecting one end of said link to one of said body extensions, and a second pivot connecting the opposite end of said link to the other of said body extensions, said structure being adjustable to a contracted condition wherein said extensions pressure engage said trunnion-like extensions in a manner that relieves stress upon said pivots when said body extensions are in an overlapped relation to each other.

14. The subject matter of claim 13, and the centers of said pivots occupying a past deadcenter position in relation to the long axis of the turnbuckle when the latter is adjusted to the limit of its movement toward the position wherein its aforesaid body extensions overlap.

15. The subject matter of claim 13, and a locking sleeve positionable around the turnbuckle structure when the latter is adjusted to the limit of its movement toward the position wherein its aforesaid body extensions overlap.

PAUL G. GLEASON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 

